Dodgers acquire Matt Kemp in multi-player trade with Braves
By Amy Kaplan
The Los Angeles Dodgers have traded four players and cash considerations in exchange for outfielder Matt Kemp from the Atlanta Braves.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have welcomed back Matt Kemp according to a trade deal involving four players and cash according to a tweet from Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. The Dodgers later confirmed the trade.
Kemp was reportedly acquired from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for fan favorite Adrian Gonzalez, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy and Charlie Culberson plus cash considerations.
Obviously, Dodgers fans were in shock to see Kemp back with the team after his rather controversial trade in 2014 to the San Diego Padres. Fans turned their back on Kemp after the trade, even booing him when he made his first at-bat as a Padre at Dodgers Stadium.
The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired outfielder Matt Kemp from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for first baseman Adrián González, pitchers Scott Kazmir and Brandon McCarthy, infielder Charlie Culberson and cash considerations.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 16, 2017
The trade is likely a way for both teams to break even out on bad contracts and bring the Dodgers under budget for 2018. The team has been taxed the past five years, including a $30 million penalty for 2017 for going over the $197 million luxury-tax threshold. This trade effectively puts the team under that threshold and will avoid the penalty.
Sources: Trade is effectively cash-neutral overall, but will get #Dodgers under $197M luxury-tax threshold for 2018. Kemp’s money spread out over two years. Three players #Braves getting all one-year guys. ATL will designate Gonzalez for assignment, enabling him to be free agent.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 16, 2017
#Dodgers have paid luxury tax FIVE straight years and were hit penalty of more than $30M for 2017. Penalty rate will drop from 50% for every dollar over threshold to 20% next year if they stay under $197M limit, which clearly is their intent.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 16, 2017
The Braves have already designated Gonzalez for assignment and the Dodgers may not be keeping Kemp either. He may be moved in a smaller trade, although the Dodgers may have to include a premium prospect to get a team to pick up his contract.
The Braves have confirmed the trade via their official Twitter account.
The Dodgers appeared in their first World Series since 1988 but ultimately fell to the Houston Astros in Game Seven. The Braves finished their 2017 season with a 72-90 record.
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Kemp was still technically to be paid by the Dodgers for the next two seasons on a contract worth over $43 million. He hit his 1,500th career double and became the first Braves player to have a three home run game since 2008.
He leaves Atlanta having batted .276/.318/.463, but, for the first time in his major league career he did not steal any bases.